UK-based Integrated Satellite Applications Technologies Ltd (iSat) has announced the signing of a contract worth nearly €900,000 to deliver two 2.4 meter VSAT systems to a customer in the Middle East. The two hubs will use the new Ku 14.5 to 14.8 GHz and Ka 24.65 to 25.25GHz frequency bands that are scheduled to come into service with the 3Q 2017 launch by the Qatar Satellite Company of Es'hail-2, which will orbit at 26 degrees East.

iSat is specialised in Ka-band VSAT terminal design. It designs RF feeds and assemblies and develops, installs, trains and supports their implementation worldwide. Established in 2011 and based in Farnborough, the company has extensive VSAT testing and integration facilities.

iSat was able to obtain the contract thanks in part to the support provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) through the Entry element of the ARTES programme. “ESA Entry support was instrumental in helping us deliver solutions based on the new extended Ku- and Ka-band frequencies,” says David Harper, CEO of iSat. “In particular, ESA is helping us in the development of innovative Ka-band feeds with optimized pointing accuracy which gives improved signal quality and faster commissioning times. This contract award required a turnkey solution where the waveguide feeds and orthomode transducers funded in part by ESA is a key differentiator”.

“The iSat contract is a good example of how ARTES Entry helps small but enterprising newcomers get a foothold in the very competitive global space industry,” says Fabrizio De Paolis, Ground Segment Engineer at ESA.

ARTES Entry is designed specifically to support European and Canadian SME Newcomers, which have not worked with ESA within the past ten years. In recognition of the importance of helping newcomers, in December 2015 the ESA Member States raised the co-funding level for ARTES Entry from 50% to 75%.
From: https://artes.esa.int/news/isat-wins-vsat-tender-support-artes-entry

New
Contract For Specialized Frequency High-Power Amplifiers Awarded To
Communications & Power Industries Through iSat Ltd.

PALO ALTO, Calif. and FARNBOROUGH, England–September 12,
2016– The Satcom Division
of Communications & Power Industries (CPI) has been awarded a contract from
Integrated Satellite Applications Technologies Ltd. (iSAT) for high power travelling
wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs)operating in the reverse DBS/low Ka-band
and extended Ku-band frequency ranges. The amplifiers will be used to support a
$1 million award to iSAT by a major satellite operator and service provider in
the Middle East for a complete turnkey system.

“iSat has a proven track record of integrating Ka-band systems at these higher,
emerging frequencies and is very pleased to be working with CPI to provide a
robust and cost-effective solution to our customer in the Middle East. We look
forward to further opportunities to work with CPI in the future,” said David
Harper, chief executive officer of iSat.

CPI is one of the largest manufacturers of high-power communications
amplifiers. CPI’s broad line of HPAs includes solid-state power
amplifiers(SSPAs), TWTAs and klystron power amplifiers, and the company’s
amplifiers are used around the world in fixed and mobile gateways for both
military and commercial applications. CPI offers amplifiers in frequencies from
S-band to V-band and supports its fielded products with more than 20 service
centers worldwide. For more information, contact CPI via the Web at www.cpii.com/satcomsales or call +1 (650) 846-3803.

iSat designs, manufactures and installs specialized satellite earth stations
and very small aperture terminals (VSAT) worldwide, covering frequencies from
C-band to Ka-band. In addition to standard-frequency products, iSat
manufactures VSATs for operation in X-band and the emerging Ku and Ka
frequencies, including the 12.75 GHz to 13.25GHz “Appendix 30B” Ku-band
expansion bands and the extended DBS and inverted Ka-bands. For more
information contact iSat at www.isatnetworks.com or
call +44 1252 750812.

Overview

In January this year iSat Networks (iSat) was awarded a contract by ESA to develop a feed adjustment mechanism, with both manual and motorised operation, to provide improved alignment of Ka-band VSAT antennas and tracking of inclined-orbit satellites up to ~±3° in the C, X- and Ku-bands. The inclined system reduces the costs of using inclined capacity.

Result of Ka band manually feed development

Figure 1 Illustration of the manually adjusted feed mechanism currently under development

The Ka-band adjustable feed development will provide enhanced RF performance for Ka-band antenna systems and facilitate easier installation by less skilled installers. The unit is available with or without a rear mount BUC bracket which reduces waveguide loss.

Preliminary Results for inclined tracking

The C, X- and Ku-band motorised feed development will provide a simple retrofit solution to enable the tracking of inclined orbit satellites at a substantially lower cost than currently available Az-El tracking systems.

iSat has carried out initial tests of the motorised feed using a 1.8 m offset antenna at Ku-band (11.45 GHz) tracking the beacon on NSS-7 which is operating in a 1° inclined orbit. The tests were conducted at our facility in Cody Technology Park, Farnborough.

The antenna gain pattern is shown below – note a >20dB loss for a 1° mis-point.

The next plot shows the beacon level at the receiver with no feed tracking – in fact the beacon signal is completely lost due to carrier being in the noise, as the satellite oscillates in its inclined orbit

The final plot below shows the beacon level at the receiver when the iSat feed tracking is enabled. The plot shows the feed position alongside the beacon level which remains steady (<1dB variation) and shows no loss of signal associated with the tracking.

The work continues at iSat, and anyone interested can contact us now for more information.

Please note: The views in this publication can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.

25 February 2016:After a year’s discussion with ESA, and with a support letter from UK Innovate, following a negotiation meeting held at ESA’s office in Harwell on 1st February 2016, iSat LTD (Integrated Satellite Applications Technologies Limited) can officially announce the award of a contract entitled "Robotic Feed Development".

The program will be carried out under a program of, and co-funded by, the European Space Agency.

The project is to develop a feed tracking mechanism for VSAT antennas:-

- New and retrofit Ku and X-band inclined satellites tracked with ephemeris data, which has lower down-time, lower cost and more precision than current AzEl systems.

Terminals

iSat have design VSAT terminals for over 20 years. The experience has delivered terminals for X-band, Appendix 30b at Ku band, Reverse Ka band, and high power Ka-band. At higher frequencies, the skill to configure the filters for high power amplifiers with good G/T performance becomes more important, and iSat have a number of solutions designed, installed and working in critical infrastructure.

The examples below involve intricate waveguide, filtering and construction, which is an iSat Skill that can be applied to other emerging frequencies.

iSat have a range of services supporting products, terminals and infrastructure projects. These services are equally essential to deliver and coordinate with customers procurement teams.

iSat Ka-band terminals are available from 27.5GHz to 31GHz because iSat design and manufacture their own feeds for circular or linear polarisations. This skill enables us to connect to some transponders with interesting coverage, some of which are illustrated coverage, some of which are illustrated below.

iSat experience covers many countries across the EMEA region. Monitor and control has been a major feature of many installations, and iSat have experience with a number of customer preferred software systems. Equipment interface range from serial, I/O and SNMP. All equipment is seamlessly presented on a front GUI screen.

iSat Integration

iSat have experience of rack and VSAT integration since 1990's and designs can be quickly amended to meet new integration requirements.Designs available include RF patch panels and shelves containing splitters, combiners, line drivers, with monitor points to front or rear or both. These shelves may can also contain L-band manual or motorised switch, dc inserters, and L-band break out panels for cross-site cables etc.Design of rack layouts is a speciality which delivers reliable and easy to use layouts. Experience takes into consideration ventilation for electronic equipment, power distribution, cable type, and cable layout for ease of maintenance. Each rack comes with wiring diagram, wiring list with cable numbers, and each cable has that number on each connector.

iSat has built earth station RF communication cabins which are resilient independent equipment rooms with a high level of signal security. Features include redundant 3 phase mains input, redundant air-conditioning, gland and interface panels for waveguide and fibre with designs to hold 2, 3, 4 or 5 racks.

Experience in flyaway and fixed VSAT terminals has created power solutions that can source power from 12 and 24 Volt battery, solar and petrol generators. iSat use only IATA safe Lithium battery compatible with transport by air.

Resilience is available against cold and windy locations where Radomes are required for Ku and X-band VSAT terminals.

These solutions allow iSat to respond with intelligent suggestions for almost any RF integration challenge.

iSat has been using our in-house design and manufacturing capabilities to create bespoke feeds for specialist terminals. iSat is uniquely placed to engineer the perfect solution to meet our clients’ needs. Our in-house production is optimised for production levels between 100 – 1,000 units. Contact us to learn more about our bespoke design and manufacturing capabilities.

iSat is in the process of developing technology to revolutionize the Ka band market. The feeds we’re developing outperform the competition offering more gain and less amps. iSat has a long history of bringing innovative product solutions to market and we have the skills and expertise to deliver.

iSat LTD attended the IBC2015 conference from the 10th to the 14th of September. The IBC Conference is an unrivaled global destination for discussion and debate about the many different challenges facing the electronic media and entertainment industry, both in its sessions and in the range of networking opportunities it affords. We would like to see you there!

iSat develops Ka antenna with special feed to save 2dB at Ka- unique opportunities for early adopters.

24th Sep 2014. iSat LTD has developed Ka band antenna systems with a special feed focus, saving 2db in miss-point error for 1.8mtr antennas which offers benefits in terms of reduced BUC size and better G/T. We’re looking for partners and early adopters to join us in trialling this exciting expansion to our capabilities.

The product improves the performance of ka-band networks, which will help our customers capture their customers and commercialise Ka-space segment.

If you’d like to be at the cutting edge of technological innovation and start commercialising your ka-band, then contact us now for a special early adopter rate.

iSat have designed and developed an M4 feed for use with Es’hailSat and Eutelsat at 25.5 degrees East which offers Ka coverage over the whole MENA region.

We are a specialist VSAT manufacturer based in Farnborough’s technology district with expertise in providing bespoke solutions. Our focus is on systems design & provisioning covering RF, IP networks and baseband plus management solutions.

We can offer exclusive solutions tailored to meet the needs of our partners like no other!

HAMPSHIRE, 19th of Aug 2015 – iSat Ltd (Integrated Satellite Applications Technologies Limited), the leading provider of specialist RF VSAT for satellite networks, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Yates as non-executive board director. John has 30 years experience working in the commercial space sector and most recently was responsible for managing the UK ESA ARTES budget for the development of new technologies and products for space applications. John will advise iSat on the company’s product strategy in specialist RF VSAT technologies.

David Harper CEO of iSat said, “I’ve known John for a number
of years, and it’s an enormous privilege to be working with John on our new
exciting VSAT terminals for special frequency bands at Ka-band and below. We’ve
already submitted our first project under the ESA Newcomers Initiative and eagerly
anticipate its conclusion and early commercial exploitation.” John Yates said,
“I’m extremely pleased to be joining the board of iSat and working with David at such an exciting time for the company.Read More: John Yates joins iSat as non-executive board director

Integrated Satellite Applications Technologies Ltd (iSat at URL
www.isatnetworks.com), an innovative, value-added systems integrator with
over 25 years of experience in ground station satellite transmission
solutions, announced today that it has developed a unique swappable X-band
feed for the C-COM manufactured 1.2M Ku-band Auto Deploy iNetVu®
transportable system.

This revolutionary terminal has been developed to accommodate X-band
BUC powers from 10 to 40 watts and can be transported in 3 lightweight and
reasonably sized transportable cases. Building on the renowned quality of the
iNetVu® mobile antenna systems, this development meets the needs of
governments looking for increased flexibility and value. The iSat / C-COM
transportable solution meets all relevant technical and safety requirements,
and has been successfully range tested for compliance with ITU
specifications.

“X-band is a growing market for customers wanting highly resilient
satellite communications solutions to operate in times of stress when
traditional mobile and fixed communication infrastructures are unavailable or
unable to support the volume of traffic” says David Harper, CEO of iSat.
“This development of the iNetVu® terminal uses the iSat developed compliant
and proven X-band filters, feed, BUC and reflector, and seamlessly integrates
them onto the proven iNetVu® platform, offering a complete communications
solution out of the box.

“C-COM has been working with iSat to make it possible to expand the
capabilities of our iNetVu® mobile antennas to include X-Band”, said Leslie
Klein, President and CEO of C-COM. This new option on our 1.2M mobile
antennas will open up new markets for both C-COM and iSat customers
worldwide. Availability of X-Band on the iNetVu® antenna systems will make it
possible to offer a combined iSat/C-COM solution to military and government
organisations who rely on the use of this satellite frequency”.

“The iNetVu® platform, including the proprietary 7000 antenna
controller unit, is an outstanding piece of kit”, adds Harper. “The C-COM
unit was also selected for its resilience to withstand severe outdoor
temperatures, from the Sahara to Siberia, and for its flexible construction
which allows for packaging options that are lighter and smaller than many of
its competitors.”

See this exciting development at Cabsat stand S-K42 and at Washington
Satellite stand 1924 and discuss this and other revolutionary solutions to
deliver technical and operational progress for you and your customers.